Apparatus and method for adjusting tension of a drive track chain of a work machine which utilizes a sensor for sensing position of an undercarriage component

Abstract

A work machine includes a machine body. The work machine also includes an undercarriage assembly having a frame assembly which supports the machine body. The frame assembly has (i) a first frame member, (ii) a second frame member which is movable relative to the first frame member, and (iii) a fluid cylinder for moving the first frame member relative to the second frame member. The work machine further includes a sensor for sensing position of the first frame member relative to the second frame member. Moreover, the work machine includes a controller which is electrically coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to (i) communicate with the sensor so as to determine the position of the first frame member relative to the second frame member, and (ii) operate the fluid cylinder so as to move the first frame member relative to the second frame member based on the position of the first frame member relative to the second frame member. A method of tensioning a drive track chain is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of tensioning a drive track chain of an undercarriage assembly, said undercarriage assembly having a first frame member and a second frame member for supporting a body of a work machine, the second frame has an idler wheel secured thereto, and a drive track chain is advanced around the idler wheels comprising the steps of: 
       sensing a position of said first frame member relative to a second frame member and generating a control signal in response thereto; and  
       adjusting said position of said first frame member relative to said second frame member with the idler in response to generation of said control signal so as to move said idler wheel and drive track chain relative to the first frame member to tension the drive track chain.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said undercarriage assembly further has (i) an idler wheel secured to said second frame member, and (ii) a fluid cylinder having its first end coupled to said first frame member and a second end coupled to said second frame member,  
       said drive track chain is advanced around said idler wheel, and  
       said adjusting step includes the step of extending said fluid cylinder so as to move said idler wheel in a direction away from said first frame member so as to increase tension on said drive track chain in response to generation of said control signal.  
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said undercarriage assembly further has (i) an idler wheel secured to said second frame member, and (ii) a fluid cylinder having if first end coupled to said first frame member and a second end coupled to said second frame member,  
       said drive track chain is advanced around said idler wheel, and  
       said adjusting step includes the step of retracting said fluid cylinder so as to move said idler wheel in a direction toward said first frame member so as to decrease tension on said drive track chain in response to generation of said control signal.  
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said sensing step includes the step of sensing a distance from a first sensing location associated with said first frame member to a second sensing location associated with said second frame member and generating said control signal in response thereto, and  
       said adjusting step includes the step of adjusting said distance from said first sensing location associated with said first frame member to said second sensing location associated with said second frame member in response to generation of said control signal.  
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein: 
       said first frame member is slidably secured to said second frame member, and  
       said step of adjusting said distance from said first sensing location associated with said first frame member to said second sensing location associated with said second frame member includes the step of sliding said first frame member relative to said second frame member so as to increase said distance between said first sensing location associated with said first frame member and said second sensing location associated with said second frame member in response to generation of said control signal.  
     
     
       6. An undercarriage assembly of a work machine; comprising: 
       a first undercarriage component;  
       a second undercarriage component which is movable relative to said first undercarriage component;  
       an actuator mechanically coupled to said second undercarriage component so as to move said second undercarriage component relative to said first undercarriage component;  
       a sensor for sensing a linear distance between said first undercarriage component and said second undercarriage component; and  
       a controller which is electrically coupled to said sensor, wherein said controller is configured to (i) communicate with said sensor so as to determine said linear distance between said first undercarriage component and said second undercarriage component, and (ii) operate said actuator so as to move said first undercarriage component relative to said second undercarriage component based on said linear distance between said first undercarriage component and said second undercarriage component.  
     
     
       7. The undercarriage assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising an idler wheel, wherein: 
       said first undercarriage component includes a first frame member,  
       said second undercarriage component includes a second frame member which is movable relative to said first frame member, and  
       said idler wheel is rotatably secured to said second frame member.  
     
     
       8. The undercarriage assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a drive track chain, wherein: 
       said drive track chain is advanced around said idler wheel,  
       said actuator includes a fluid cylinder having a rod, and  
       said controller is further configured to operate said fluid cylinder so as to extend said rod if said linear distance between said first frame member and said second frame member is below a predetermined distance value thereby moving said idler wheel in a direction substantially away from said first frame member so as to increase tension on said drive track chain.  
     
     
       9. The undercarriage assembly of  claim 8 , wherein: 
       said controller is further configured to operate said fluid cylinder so as to retract said rod if said linear distance between said first frame member and said second frame member is above said predetermined distance value thereby moving said idler wheel in a direction substantially toward said first frame member so as to decrease tension on said drive track chain.  
     
     
       10. The undercarriage assembly of  claim 6 , wherein: 
       said first undercarriage component includes a first frame member,  
       said second undercarriage component includes a second frame member which is slidably secured to said first frame member,  
       said first frame member has a first sensing location associated therewith,  
       said second frame member has a second sensing location associated therewith, and  
       said sensor is configured to sense said linear distance between said first sensing location and said second sensing location.  
     
     
       11. A work machine; comprising: 
       a machine body;  
       an undercarriage assembly having a frame assembly which supports said machine body, said frame assembly having (i) a first frame member, (ii) a second frame member which is movable relative to said first frame member, and (iii) a fluid cylinder for moving said first frame member relative to said second frame member;  
       a sensor for sensing position of said first frame member relative to said second frame member; and  
       a controller which is electrically coupled to said sensor, wherein said controller is configured to (i) communicate with said sensor so as to determine said position of said first frame member relative to said second frame member, and (ii) operate said fluid cylinder so as to move said first frame member relative to said second frame member based on said position of said first frame member relative to said second frame member.  
     
     
       12. The work machine of  claim 11 , further comprising an idler wheel, wherein said idler wheel is rotatably secured to said second frame member. 
     
     
       13. The work machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a drive track chain, wherein: 
       said drive track chain is advanced around said idler wheel, and  
       said controller is further configured to operate said fluid cylinder so as to move said second frame member in a direction substantially away from said first frame member thereby moving said idler in said direction substantially away from said first frame member so as to increase tension on said drive track chain.  
     
     
       14. The work machine of  claim 13 , wherein said controller is further configured to operate said fluid cylinder so as to move said second frame member in a direction substantially toward said first frame member thereby moving said idler in said direction substantially toward said first frame member so as to decrease tension on said drive track chain. 
     
     
       15. The work machine of  claim 14 , wherein: 
       said first frame member has a first sensing location associated therewith,  
       said second frame member has a second sensing location associated therewith, and  
       said sensor is configured to sense a linear distance between said first sensing location and said second sensing location.